Steve Kepler enters IFPD commissioner race

Steve Kepler, another paid-call member of the Idyllwild Fire Department, has decided to run for a commission seat. Kepler filed papers this week with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters’ Office to as an official write-in candidate in the Aug. 25 vote.


Residents will receive their ballots shortly. Six names will be on the ballot, but Kepler is asking voters to make the effort to write his name on one of the blank lines of the ballot.


Three full-term or four-year seats are up for election. The three incumbents – Glen McWilliams, Earl Parker and Lloyd Vaught— are all running for re-election.


The three challengers are Ben Killingsworth, currently a board commissioner who could have run for election to finish the term to which he was appointed, Jeannine Charles-Stigall and Dr. Charles “Chip” Schelly.


Now Kepler enters the race as the fourth challenger, but the third non-commissioner seeking one of the three openings.